Khaberni - The German Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine Society stated that narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that occurs due to the brain's loss of ability to regulate sleep and wake cycles naturally.
Symptoms
The society explained that the symptoms of narcolepsy are characterized by severe daytime sleepiness that is irresistible, leading to sleep in unusual places or situations such as in a bathtub, during a conversation, or while working, along with cataplexy; where muscle tone suddenly decreases, causing sufferers to collapse suddenly.
Symptoms also include hallucinations upon falling asleep or waking up and sleep paralysis, where sufferers temporarily cannot move or speak upon waking or falling asleep, despite being fully conscious.
Narcolepsy may also be accompanied by other symptoms or conditions such as:
- Nightmares
– Sleepwalking
- Migraines
- Sleep-related breathing disorders (sleep apnea)
– Periodic limb movement during sleep
- Concentration problems
- Decreased performance
- Depression
– Weight gain with disease progression due to poor appetite regulation
Treatment
The German society noted that narcolepsy is currently considered an incurable disease. Therefore, the focus of treatment is on symptom relief, usually involving a combination of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical treatments.
Narcolepsy can be addressed with medications that combat excessive daytime sleepiness or sudden loss of muscle tone, while antidepressants are effective in treating sleep paralysis and hallucinations.
In addition to drug therapy, it is very important for narcolepsy patients to get sufficient sleep and maintain a regular sleep schedule. It is recommended to take regular breaks and a short nap during the day to ensure a few hours of rest and energy.
Regarding diet, it is advised to avoid large meals; as they can increase sleepiness. Also, exercising is beneficial, especially since many sufferers struggle with weight gain.
